Control apparatus



" B. o. AUSTIN CONTROL APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 23, 1925 INVENTOR 5 5mm Q/Iasf/fl.

WITNESSES:

ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 28, 1928.

- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BASCUM O. AUSTIN, OF EAST PITTSBURGH, IENNSYLVAN'IA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTING- HOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OFzPENN$YL-j VANIA.

CONTROL APPARATUS.

Application filed une 23, 1925. Serial No. 38,982.

My invention relates to control apparatus of the control apparatus by means of screw and more particularly to apparatus for controlling alternating-current circuits.

The object of the invention, generally stated, is the provision of an overload trip device that shall be simple and 'efficient in operation, and readily and economically manufactured.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide for. damping the movements of the armature of an alternating-current relay that is disposed to effect the actuation of the switch memberfof an overloadtrip device upon the flow of a predetermined current.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and in part appearhereinafter. M

The invention, accordingly, is disclosed in the embodiment thereof shown in the accompanying drawing and comprises the features of. construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth and the scope of which will be indicated in the claims.-

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the followingdetailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which,

Figure 1 is av plan view of an overload tripdevice constructed in accordance with this invention, showing the armature of the alternating-current relay locked against operation, i

Fig. 2 is a plan view, similar to that shown in Fig. 1, showing. the armature of the alternating-current relay released,

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view showing,

the overload trip device connected to;v limit the flow. of currentin an alternating-current circuit, I

Fig. 4 is a view, partially in section and partially in elevation,'of a portion of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and Fig. 5 is a view in end elevation of the part shown in Fig. 4. f

Referring now to the drawing, a casting 10, which is ofsome material capable of conducting electricity is mounted on a base ll that servesas an insulator. As will be observed, the castingf10 isp-rovided with an upper bracket 12' for supporting a part bolts.

An alternating-current relay 13 of any suitable type is mounted on the bracket 12. In this particular construction, the relay includes a vertically-disposed coil 14, which is provided with terminals 15 and .16 for connecting it in an alternatingcurrent circuit. An armature 17 1s p1votally mounted on a pin 18 which is carried by the frame 19 that is mounted on the casting10. As

shown, an adjustable connection 21in the form of aset screw is mounted on the bracket 19 to engage the end of the spring 20. 'Accordingly, by adjustment of the set screw'21, thetension ofthe, spring 20 may be varied as desired to restrict the functioning of the relay until a predetermined current flows in the controlling circuit.

With a view to damping the movements of the armature 17 of the alternating-current relay, a direct-current relay 22, which may be energized from any suitable source, 7

is horizontally disposed on the casting 10 just below and to the left of the alternatingcurrent relay 13, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2; In this particular construction, the relay frame is provided with lugs 23 which may be attached tothe castinglO by means of screw bolts 24. 1 v 7 As will be noted, the relay 23 comprises a coil 25 that is provided with terminal 26'for connecting it to any suitable source of di rect-current supply. An upwardlyrextending armature 27, which'is pivotally mounted on a pin 28 that iscarried by the frame of relay 2?, is dis po'sedin alinement with the coil 25. As shown, lateral eXt'ensionor arm 29 is pro yided on the armature 27 and is adapted for use in the making and breaking of a circuit, as will be set forth hereinafter.

In this particular construction, the exadjustably connected to a bracket 31 that is carried bythe relay frame, has its other end connected to the extension 29. It will be readily understood that this spring may be placed under suflicient tensionfby means of an adjusting device 30, to assure the clockwise rotation. of the armature27 about its pivot point 28 when the coil is deenergized.

In order to utilize the armature 27'to damp the movements of the armature 17, an insulating block 32 is provided for establishing engagement between them. As will be observed, the block 32 is attached to the armature 17 and depends below the. end of he a ma u e 2 v V The block '32 has anot'ch 33 cut therein for thereception oft tlieendf ot the armature 27. ,Fuigthermorafa vertical face 34 is presented byblock for ei'igag'ng armature 27 "when'both relays are 'dcen'ergizcd and thearmature 1-7 is drawn to its lowermost position, The block 32 is so positioned that whenth'e' armature 27 rests against the face 34, the extension 29 or a contact member mounted thereon, is retained in engagement with a stationary contact member 35, which is acljnstably disposed on bracket 36 that In order to maintain electrical connection betweenfth'e extension29 and the contact member 35, a resilient contact plate 37 is is attached to the lower end of'the casting attached to the former, as best shown in Fig.

4. Aswill beinoted, the contact plate 37 is disposed on theupper face of the extension 29 to overlie an opening that is provided in the extension for the reception of the con tractor 35.. V

Referring now to Fig. 3, a switch '38 is shown connected in a supply circuit 39. In this particular construction,the switch 38 includes apluar lity of contact'members 43 disposed in the respective circuit conductors; In order to actuate the contact members 43, a pair of jointed members or links 40 are actuated to efiect the opening ot the switch 38 *b a spring 41' and to effect the closure of t e switch by an elect-romagnet 42.

the line 39. Asis'usual'practice, the introduction of the transformer 46 assures greater. sensitiveness of the relay.

Assume that the coil 25, of the directcurrent relay 22 has been energized through the armature 27.

from the armature. 27 and is drawn to its.

lowermost position by the spring 2Q, as shown in Fig. 2. Upon the release of the push-button 45, the armature 27 is permitted to rotate about its pivot point 28under the action of the'biasingspring 30. In this manner the armature is projected against the face 34foftheblo'ck32j f 7 Assume that the current flowing in the line 39 isincreased to'a predetermined value sufficient to effect the operation of the relay 13. The coil 14 is then sufiiciently'energized to raise the armature 17,- thereby releasing As soon as the armature 27 is released, it is rotated about its pivot point 28 by'the spring 30, projectin its upper end intothe notch'33, or the blocIr 32,

as illustrated in Fig. 1. Accordingly, the armature 1-7 is locked in itsraised position. Its movements are thus damped by the armature 27, which first ridesonthe fac e 34 and then engages the notch 33 of the bl ock 32. i

It will be evident that when the armature 27 is rotated to separate the plate 37 and contact member 35, the switch actuating coil 42 is deenergized. and the switch is opened by the spring 41. 39 may be opened when the current therein reaches any predetermined value.

In order to reset the relay 13, the push button 45 isoperated to'efl'ect the energization of coil 25. Upon the energization of 00ll25 the armature 27 is actuated to close the circuit of the actuating coilf42, xwhich effects the closure of the switch 38.

As will be readily understood, whenever the push-button 45 is released, the armature 27'will' rotate through a predetermined angle under the action of thetsprin 30 untilits upper endagain' engages the time 34 of the block 32. During such rotation of t'he, armature, theresilient contact plate 37 maintains electrical connection with. the contact member. 35, thereby maintaining thevenergizing circuit of the actuating coil of the switch 38;

Since various changes. may be made in the above-described connections and arrangement of, parts, and different embodiments of the invention may. be made without departing from the scope thereof, ite is intended that all matter containedin the abovev description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not'in a limiting'sense.

I claim asmy invention:

1. An'ove-rload tripdevice for an alternat ing-current circuit comprising, combination, an alternating current Lrelay provided with a movable armature, said'relay being In this manner the circuit adapted to actuate the armature upon the flow of a predetermined current in said circuit, a direct-current relay provided with a spring-biased armature and means for energizing the direct-current relay to actuate its armature against the action of thespring,

said armatures being disposed to engage one another, said spring-biased armature being disposed to dampen the movements of the alternating-current relay armature when the direct-current relay is deenergized, the alternating-current relay armature being provided with a notch to receive the spring-biased armature to effect the locking of one of the armatures in a predetermined position.

2. An overload trip device for an alternating-current circuit comprising, in combination, an alternating-current relay provided with a movable armature and adapted to actuate the armature upon the flow of apredetermined current in said circuit, a directcurrent relay provided with a spring-biased armature and means for energizing the direct-current relay to actuate its armature against the action of the spring, said armatures being disposed to engage one another, the directcurrent relay when energized being adapted to retain its armature out of engagement with the alternating-current relay armature to permit free movement of the latter.

3. An overload trip device for an alterhating-current circuit comprising, in combination, an alternating-current relay provided with a movable armature and adapted to actuate the armature upon the flow of a predetermined current in said circuit, a switch for controlling the flow of current in the alternating-current relay, an actuating 'coil for said switch, a direct-current relay provided with a spring-biased armature and means for energizing the direct-current relay to actuate its armature, said armatures being disposed to engage one another, the spring-biased armature being disposed to control the flow of current in the switchactuating coil, said alternating-current relay armature being disposed to retain the springbiased armature in a position to maintain the switch-actuatingcoil circuit.

4:. An overload trip device for an alternatingcurrent circuit comprising, in combination, an alternating-current relay provided with movable armature and adapted to actuate the armature upon the flow of a predetermined current in said circuit, a switch for controlling the flow of current in .the alternating-current relay, an actuating being disposed to retain the spring-biased.

armature in a position to maintain the switchactuating-coil circuit, anda reslllent contact member carried by the spring-biased armature, said contact member serving to maintain the switch-actuating-coil circuit during a predetermined angular movement of the direct-current relay armature.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name'this 4th day of June,

BASCUM O. AUSTIN. 

